Broadband Guides: Understanding Broadband

What are symmetrical broadband speeds?

Symmetrical broadband speeds represent a key advantage of full fibre broadband services, but how do they work?

Common broadband myths exposed

Common broadband myths range from misunderstandings to absurdities, and separating fact from fiction is vital for consumers

A beginner’s guide to broadband routers

Broadband routers are the gateway to the internet, but they can be a source of mystery for people unfamiliar with this technology.

Broadband in new homes

What is Gigabit broadband?

As the current gold standard of connectivity, gigabit broadband offers a future-proof solution to domestic internet access

What is build to rent, and how does it affect broadband access?

Build to rent schemes are growing in popularity, and they offer tenants a shortcut to the fast lane of the internet superhighway

Online backups – how to protect your data

Data storage has come a long way since the days of Zip drives and USB sticks, but online backups come in a variety of guises – with varying drawbacks and limitations

How does free public WiFi work?

Free public WiFi has become big business, as a way of attracting and retaining customers for longer

What’s the difference between a mobile dongle and a MiFi hub?

There’s more than one difference between a mobile dongle and a MiFi hub, which is worth understanding if you need temporary (or portable) internet access

What is a smart home?

The differences between broadband, superfast and ultrafast broadband

Understanding the differences between broadband, superfast and ultrafast broadband will help to ensure your next internet package is suitable

Why is it hard to get new cable services in established areas?

Millions of consumers would benefit from the faster internet speeds offered by cable services, yet these are often unavailable, even in urban areas

How do you deliver broadband to an island?

Broadband in island communities can be a hit-and-miss affair, not helped by the UK’s awkward geography and topology

How densely populated is the UK?

The question of how densely populated is the UK takes on particular significance when it comes to broadband availability

Why do broadband speeds tend to be quoted as 11, 35 or 64Mbps?

Standard broadband speeds tend to be clustered around a few key numbers, but there are good reasons for this consistency among rival ISPs

How energy efficient is your broadband?

How to find great photographs online

Being able to find great photographs online can transform your website, social media timelines and online presence – especially if you’re not a natural photographer

Who are Openreach, and why are they so significant?

It’s important for consumers to understand who are Openreach working on behalf of when they undertake broadband works or agree to connect a telephone line

What is binary data?

We talk about binary data all the time, but it’s not immediately obvious what this term means – or how it’s measured

How to switch off after spending the day online

Being able to disconnect from the internet is a real challenge, but it’s vital for preserving our mental and physical wellbeing and safety

How housebuilders fit high-speed broadband in new homes

Full-fibre broadband in new builds is becoming commonplace as developers tempt potential purchasers with ultrafast connectivity

FACT: You don’t have to use the wifi router your ISP supplies

ISP branded routers are often disappointingly cheap and inefficient - switching could make a huge difference

What is bandwidth, and how does it help with broadband?

Bandwidth and broadband are often conflated, so knowing the difference between the two will help to ensure your next broadband deal is suitable for your needs

Why does Hull not have BT or Openreach infrastructure?

Telephone services and broadband in Hull are different to the rest of the country, owing to a curious historic anomaly

How to live without home broadband (temporarily)

The prospect of living without home broadband may seem daunting, but it’s surprisingly easy to manage short-term with advanced planning

Why fast broadband could help you sell your home

The connection between broadband and house prices may not be obvious, but connection speeds have a tangible effect on your home’s desirability

Making sense of your first broadband bill

It can be difficult making sense of your first broadband bill, with a variety of different charges potentially applicable at once

Why are PC towers so big and bulky?

It may seem odd that PC towers are still on sale, yet these powerful machines retain a loyal audience and some desirable characteristics

What causes broadband outages?

Broadband outages can have a number of causes, and correctly identifying them is invaluable for managing without connectivity – or getting it restored

The pros and cons of Powerline adaptors

What broadband speeds do I actually need?

ISP’s are offering packages for every budget and speed requirement - but do you actually know what you need from your broadband?

What does IPv6 mean?

Bits and bytes and bandwidth speeds

How do Google and Bing compile search results?

What are broadband boosters?

How to make the most of YouTube

The video streaming site can do a lot more...

A beginner’s guide to Twitter

What is G.fast?

What to do when some wireless devices connect to WiFi but others don’t

Social media platforms – What’s the difference?

How to win the battle with slow Wifi

Crap wireless connectivity is the top bugbear for Brits - don't let it drag you down

Understanding broadband line speed advertising

Broadband speeds were once misleadingly advertised as 'up to', but things have changed...